Famous Mark Verheidens Of Filmland

Mark Verheiden's thoughts... such as they are...

Sunday, November 22, 2009

This Week On HEROES --

"Thanksgiving." That's right, the gang sits down for a lovely holiday meal. I think fans will be blown away by the fourth act twist -- when Angela tries to change the channel from a football game to a Twilight Zone marathon, watch out!

Proof Of Goodness In The World Vol. 9!

So much good stuff, so little time...

It's awards season, which means SCREENERS! To quote our former President (in a slightly different context), "bring it on!"

Guitarist/songwriter Jaime Hoover has a new CD, "English Afterthought" with Steve Stoeckel. Hoover was/is a member of The Spongetones, has played often with Don Dixon, and knocks another one out of the park with this classic poppy-rock release. Available from the fine folks at notlame.com.

Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away", a brand new, definitive 6 CD collection of his studio recordings. In large format with an informative book and many photos. A very nice limited edition from the fine folks at Hip-O-Select.com.

Strange Suspense, the Steve Ditko Archives Vol. 1. A 230 page collection of comic artist Steve Ditko's earliest and most demented work, mostly from pre-code horror comics from the mid-50's. (Hopefully most of the folks reading this know Ditko co-created Spider-Man and that he continues to draw to this day.) In full color and shot from the original books, it's a typically elegant production from the folks at Fantagraphics Books.

The Book Of Genesis, illustrated by Robert Crumb. An interesting choice of subject matter, but Crumb's work has never been better. There's an affordable hardcover and a deluxe boxed signed swanky edition, I got mine via Amazon...

Saturday, November 14, 2009

HEROES on 11/16/09! Brother's Keeper!

This week on Heroes, an extra special episode, and I'm not saying that just because I co-wrote it with my pal Rob Fresco. Well, I guess I am, but it's still extra-special!

We got your Nathan and your Peter (hence the "Brothers" title), your Matt and your Sylar, we got Tracy, Claire, Hiro, Suresh -- and the nefarious Samuel as well. It's all happening MONDAY November 16 at 8:00PM! Heroes on NBC!

THE TRUTH SETS OUR HEROES ON NEW AND DANGEROUS PATHS.

Samuel (Robert Knepper) learns just how powerful he can become and takes dangerous measures to reach his full potential. Meanwhile, as Tracy (Ali Larter) begins to lose control of her ability, one of her own comes in harms way. Elsewhere, Sylar (Zachary Quinto) continues his battle with Matt (Greg Grunberg).

In other Heroes-esque news, back the office we're careening toward the season four climax and I can report with some authority that there's plenty of cool stuff still to come. And some intriguing directors and guest stars that Battlestar fans may recognize from that fine program... but no, the Cylons are NOT responsible for Samuel's perfidy. At least I'm pretty sure...

Monday, November 09, 2009

Wish I'd Been There...

From the Backstreets blog, re: last night's Springsteen show at Madison Square Garden...

http://backstreets.com/news.html

November 8 / Madison Square Garden / New York, NYNotes: Context has always been important to Bruce Springsteen's music, and he reinforced that notion with a galvanizing performance of The River in its entirety for the first time on Sunday night at Madison Square Garden. In a precise, exhilarating, and high-energy show, Springsteen faithfully reproduced all 20 of its songs. Most have appeared in shows on various tours since the album's 1980 release, and usually to great effect. But hearing the songs in their original order left many in the building gasping in astonishment.

There's lots more, but you get the gist. Gasping in astonishment indeed... it must have been amazing. Maybe there's an official release in the cards?

TONIGHT on HEROES -- Shadowboxing!

Monday night, 8PM, NBC, in living color!! Tonight's episode is "Shadowboxing", and here how the fine folks at NBC describe it!

CLAIRE LEARNS THE TRUTH BEHIND THE ATTACKS AND SYLAR TAKES MATTERS INTO HIS OWN HANDS.

Claire (Hayden Panettiere) is determined to get to the bottom of the Sorority Rush attacks on her own, until H.R.G. (Jack Coleman) intervenes only to realize he may be the source of her troubles. Meanwhile, Peter’s (Milo Ventimiglia) new ability is a perfect fit for his job and gives him the opportunity to help Emma (guest star Deanne Bray) accept her new life. Elsewhere, Sylar’s (Zachary Quinto) battle at gaining full control over Matt’s (Greg Grunberg) body escalates — with potentially dangerous implications at stake.

Next week, my first episode for season four, co-written with the ever-talented Rob Fresco, "Brother's Keeper." I just got back from the final mix, and I'll just note that this one looks cool, sounds just dandy, and deals big time with the ever-loving Petrelli family...

Sunday, November 08, 2009

Proof Of Goodness In The World Vol. 8!

So much goodness, so little time!

Hard Times, the first movie directed by Walter Hill, starring Charles Bronson and James Coburn, now in high-def! The MGM-HD channel has been showing some great 70's movies, including incredibly gritty stuff like Hickey & Boggs (with Robery Culp and Bill Cosby as two of the seediest private eyes ever!) and Across 110th Street, which practically requires a shower after viewing.

Silverado is out on blu-ray! A great Western with an excellent cast and a stand-out performance by Brian Dennehy as the bad guy you kind of like except for the "killing innocent people" thing.

The original Prisoner, starring the late, great Patrick McGoohan, is out in blu-ray! I have no idea if the new series will work (the promos look pretty great), but the original is still fun and chock full of 60's paranoia/insanity.

Bright Midnight, the special "Doors only" label from Rhino, is releasing a bunch of great live Doors material! Sound quality is great and that Jim Morrison was kind of wacky...

Reggae great Fred Locks has a new CD out called Glorify The Lord that brings him back to the sound of his first and best release, Black Star Liners. And that's good!

Bruce Springsteen is STILL on tour, and he's breaking up his set list and doing entire albums on this last lap. Last night in Madison Square Garden, it was his second record, The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle. Tonight he's doing the entire double album, The River. I am now in favor of a nationwide supersonic bullet train that could get from me the West Coast to the East Coast in time to see this... but alas...

Monday, November 02, 2009

HEROES Tonight + Ratings...

For those who are curious about Heroes and it's place in the ratings firmament, here's an interesting piece from the 11/2 New York Times --

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/business/media/02ratings.html?_r=1

Key section:

Individual shows have gained substantially. “House,” second among all shows in its live program rating (to “Grey’s Anatomy” on ABC), became the top show in terms of commercials viewed within three days with a 5.68 rating (about 6.53 million), gaining almost 18 percent. NBC’s comedy “The Office” had one of the single biggest gains — 26 percent from its live program rating — to 3.92 (4.5 million) for its rating including playbacks.

The supposedly struggling NBC drama “Heroes” jumped 22 percent, as did another apparently flagging drama, “Fringe” on Fox. And a new ABC drama, the appropriately named “Flash Forward,” looks even more like a hit than it did with its original rating because its rating increased 14 percent with playbacks.

MEANWHILE --

TONIGHT ON HEROES -- a very special episode featuring Hiro, our old pal Sylar... and a women named Charlie. "Once Upon A Time In Texas..."

HIRO GETS A SECOND CHANCE TO SAVE THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE.

When Hiro (Masi Oka) travels three years into the past, he has a second chance to save Charlie (guest star Jayma Mays) from the hands of Sylar (Zachary Quinto). However, Samuel’s (Robert Knepper) presence serves to complicate Hiro’s mission even further. Elsewhere, H.R.G.’s (Jack Coleman) past with his Primatech partner (guest star Elizabeth Rohm) is revealed.

About Me

Mark is executive producer of the Marvel/Netflix show DAREDEVIL. Previous TV work includes CONSTANTINE, HEMLOCK GROVE, FALLING SKIES, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, HEROES, SMALLVILLE, THE STRIP, TIMECOP (the series), CAPRICA, FREAKYLINKS, MARTIAL LAW and PERVERSIONS OF SCIENCE.
Screenwriter on #1 boxoffice movies TIMECOP and THE MASK, and the not #1 but still fun feature MY NAME IS BRUCE starring Bruce Campbell. I've also scribbled out nearly 125 comic books including THE AMERICAN, ALIENS, PREDATOR, THE PHANTOM, SUPERMAN and SUPERMAN/BATMAN.